Influence of the dry density and compaction water content on the scanning drying curve of a residual soil derived from volcanic ash

Abstract

Introduction: Scanning wetting or drying curves show the relation between successive measurements of water content and suction of an originally partly saturated soil which follows a drying or wetting process. Objective: To study the influence of dry density and compaction water content into a scanning drying curve of a residual soil derived from volcanic ash, which was subjected to a drying process exposed to the environment. Methodology: The experimental work started with the determination of compaction curve of the studied material. Based on the curve, six points were selected within the curve. It allowed studying the existent relation between dry density and compaction water content with suction through the static compaction of the studied soil using for that aim, scanning drying curves obtained from the filter paper technique. Results: Initial dry density of the material does not influence into the paths that describe the scanning drying curves to similar suction values. The compaction water content influences into the storage capacity of the studied soil. It was found that for the same density value, samples compacted to the wet side of optimum water content, show higher suction values than samples compacted of the dry side of optimum water content. Conclusions: Water storage capacity of the studied soil is independent of the initial dry density of the material. Water storage capacity of the studied soil is influenced by the compaction water content. It was found that samples compacted to the wet side of the optimum water content show higher suction values than samples compacted of the dry side of optimum water content.

Keywords

• Soil water retention curve
• Scanning curve
• suction
• compaction
• hydraulic conductivity